Revision as of 05:56, 1 February 2012

Canal St. Martin

The 10th arrondissement of Paris centers on the Canal St. Martin and the restaurants and cafés which line its banks. Part sleepy faubourg — as suburbs were called in 18th century Paris — and part industrial center, the 10th arrondissement has lately enjoyed the benefits of both the booming nightlife scene in the neighboring 11th, as well as the Parisien cycling and roller-blading boom. The streets lining the canal become car-free for the later half of the day each Saturday, and all day on Sundays for your cycling and strolling pleasure.

There is another, more bustling side to the cosmopolitan 10th, however, as the location of two primary entry / exit points for the city, in the form of the two great train stations Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est.

One final focus to the 10th is the historic Place de la République in the far south of the arrondissement, its many bars, restaurants and cafés.

Contents

Get in

By Métro

As it is everywhere in Paris all metro stations are not equal. Stations such as Place de la Republique connect to many lines but can be time consuming for a first time visitor. A smaller station such as Goncourt is easier to get in and out of. You may walk a bit more on the street but that's easy and a lot more fun.

Do

Promenade Canal St. Martin. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water's edge while viewing amazing sunsets over the canal. Linger over a coffee and tuck into a pastry while feeling that you are experiencing the true Paris.

Musee de l'Eventail, 2 Boulevard de Strasbourg, ☎+33 1 4208 9020. 2PM-6PM M-W, During vacations: 2PM-6PM M-F. Exhibits a collection of more than 400 fans from the 18th century to the present day.

Buy

The Boulevard de Strasbourg found between Place de la République and Gare de l'Est is known for supporting the coiffure or hairdressing trade, with dozens of shops selling hairdressing equipment and supplies. Interestingly the African hairdressers of Paris have set up shop right alongside their suppliers. So if you're interested you can have your hair done up in dreadlocks, pearly braids or another African style and can have your nails done too!

Meanwhile rue de Marseille has a number of trendy clothing shops. Another good spot to explore the slightly delapidated Passage Brady. It's full of Indian and Pakistani restaurants, for which it's sometimes called "le Petit Bombay". Stop in at the Bazaar Velan for incense, spices, and kitsch souvenirs.

Marché St-Quentin. (open Monday-Saturday 8AM-1PM, 3:30PM-7:30PM, Sunday 8AM-1PM). Market that offers a variety of goods from flowers and produce to antiques and candies.

Du Pain et des Idées, 34 rue Yves Toudic, [1]. one of the best new bakeries in Paris

Eat

Bang!, 112 quai de Jemmapes, ☎+33 1 40 40 07 11, [2]. Offers a selection of first class meats from all over the world (From American Angus and French Aubrac to Argentine Angus and Simmental from Bavaria), along with natural wines. The result is a friendly, warm space to meet friends, enjoy delicious food and converse against a soothing musical background of jazz and pop.

Mukura, 79 quai de Valmy (Métro: Château Landon). This tiny Colombian restaurant calls itself a "Salon du chocolat, café, thé & fruits latino". In fact they serve a variety of fine plates for lunch or dinner, and the great fact is that it's one of the few truly non-smoking dining rooms around. Make sure to try their Lulo juice as well as their fruit salads. Lulo is a fruit native to Colombia.

They offer cheap, tasty vegetarian and tandoori food that is typically 5 €. In Passage Brady (between Boulevard de Strasbourg and Rue du faubourg Saint Denis) Shalimar is a good choice for a great night out.

Sleep

Budget

There are a number of real cheapies in the 10th which seem to be worth checking out.

Peace and Love Hostel, 245 rue Lafayette (Métro: Jaurès), ☎+33 1 46 07 65 11, [6]. Travellers who have a lot of hostel staying experience mostly find the Peace and Love to be well within the high quality range for hostels. As usual in Paris the rooms are pretty small, the staff in general gets high marks, but the manager has been known to be crabby. Apparently the pub is good enough that there's some danger you might not go out. Must be between 18 and 35, and want to party to stay here. They suggest that if you want to sleep, this may not be the place for you.€17 for a dorm bed in the off season €21 during high season. Double rooms are €25.

Hôtel Vicq d'Azir, 21 rue Vicq-d'Azir (Métro: Colonel-Fabien), ☎+33 1 42 08 06 80. This little cheapie is in the process of a renovation under its new management. Most of the rooms overlook a nice little courtyard with a tree.Rooms with a shower are €22.50/€28 singles/doubles or €18/€20 without a shower. Showers in the hall cost €3, so maybe go for the shower in the room..

Mid-Range

Albert 1er Hotel, 162, rue Lafayette, ☎+33 1 40 36 82 40. The rooms are not too big but very clean and well equipped. The staff are friendly and can send you an official reservation confirmation if you need it.

Hôtel Paris Est Lafayette, 175 rue Lafayette, Paris 75010. Recently renovated, this 51 room hotel has modern furnishings decorated with warm colours. Staff are professional and efficient and there is 24 hr reception, as well as a tasty buffet breakfast each morning in the buffet room.

Quality Hotel Gare Du Nord, 31/33 Rue de Saint-Quentin. Housed in a historic building dating back to 1868, the Quality Hotel includes in all its rooms modem plugs, Wi-Fi access and tea & coffee making facilities.